"That's a big part of a coach's responsibility — (whether it's) injuries and a lot of different things that come along during the season — is to protect the player. This with the media thinking they need to get all the information, I don't agree with it," Tortorella said Thursday on Behind the Bench, a television show on the Madison Square Gardens network.

Tortorella has been scrutinized in the past for his need-to-know attitude on his roster’s ailments. When asked in February what forward Rick Nash’s injury was, he told a reporter, “None of your business”.

Tortorella isn’t planning on changing his tune any time soon.

“I think we need to give them what they need, they have a job to do, but they don't need to know everything that's going on with your hockey club and players — including the public and the paying customers,” Tortorella told reporters. “They pay a lot of money, and we're trying to put on a good show for them, but they do not need to know everything about what's going on with our club.”

MONTADOR OPENS UP ABOUT CONCUSSION SYMPTOMS

Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Steve Montador was candid with CSNChicago.com about his experiences with concussion symptoms.

The 33-year-old Montador suffered a concussion while playing against the Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 7, 2012. He returned to play against New Jersey on March 27, 2012, but hasn't played since.

The concussion afflicted him with a “roller-coaster” ride of anxiety and depression.

“I can see why people have a hard time with a number of different things and being taken away from something they love to do and not sure if you’d ever get back the chance. There’s a lot of uncertainty, a lot of fear, a lot of anxiety and depression that comes with that,” said Montador. “I’ve had a lot of help to work through that and I feel like I’ve taken the right steps."

Montador suited up for the Blackhawks against the Avs Friday. He couldn’t be happier.

“It’s one thing to not play the game, and at some point we’re all not going to play and we’re all going to have to accept that. But you want to go out saying you’ve done the best you can. I wanted to say that as well,” he said. “If I did everything I could and wasn’t able to come back, then I could live with that, too. And I’m still along that process. But lately it’s all been up and up; basically since right after the start of the season, things have slowly progressed. Getting skated hard, pretty much every day, is tough. It’s physically challenging. But I’m grateful just to be doing that right now.”

Strachan leveled Chimera in the neutral zone with 11:08 left in the second period at the Verizon Center during the Panthers 7-1 loss. Strachan was assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct for interference.

Chimera returned to the game, perhaps explaining the lack of a discipline hearing for Strachan.